Madeleine Gabalski

Growing up in a musical family, I started learning to play the violin when I was just 3 years old. I was my mother’s first Suzuki student, but I have also studied with a number of other teachers including Alice Kanack, Nadine Moehlenkamp, Jason Day, Laura Bossert, and currently Wanchi Huang. Most recently, I studied with David Strom for the Suzuki Every Child Can! course and subsequently studied with Ronda Cole for Suzuki Violin Unit 1. I have also attended numerous music camps on both violin and viola including the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute, Phoenix Phest, Pennsylvania Suzuki Institute, and Point CounterPoint. I was a member of various orchestras within the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras during my childhood for eight years, including AYP for three of those. While I was in high school, I earned a position in the Senior Regional Orchestra four years in a row, and additionally attained placement in the Virginia All-State Orchestra during my senior year. Career-wise, I have worked as Assistant Dean at the Castleman Quartet Program and as an administrative assistant at GWSI. Currently, I am employed with the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts as a Live Stream Operator for music performances. I am also an undergraduate student at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where I am pursuing a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in violin performance. Although I initially entered as a violist, I switched back to the violin after my freshman year to study with Wanchi Huang. Since my first year at JMU, I have been the principal violist of the Symphony Orchestra, played first violin in a string quartet for two straight semesters, and have auditioned for the Concerto and Aria Competition on violin where I succeeded to the final round. I have performed in many concerts for the orchestras, quartets, and other various ensembles at the Forbes Center. Although I am heavily involved in music to this day and am looking to acquire a music degree, after I graduate I hope to enroll in medical school and eventually become a doctor.